Michael Hunter
Mid-sized trendy master carpeted bedroom photo in Other with blue walls and no fireplace

In Southern California there are pockets of darling cottages built in the early 20th century that we like to call jewelry boxes. They are quaint, full of charm and usually a bit cramped. Our clients have a growing family and needed a modern, functional home. They opted for a renovation that directly addressed their concerns. When we first saw this 2,170 square-foot 3-bedroom beach cottage, the front door opened directly into a staircase and a dead-end hallway. The kitchen was cramped, the living room was claustrophobic and everything felt dark and dated. The big picture items included pitching the living room ceiling to create space and taking down a kitchen wall. We added a French oven and luxury range that the wife had always dreamed about, a custom vent hood, and custom-paneled appliances. We added a downstairs half-bath for guests (entirely designed around its whimsical wallpaper) and converted one of the existing bathrooms into a Jack-and-Jill, connecting the kids’ bedrooms, with double sinks and a closed-off toilet and shower for privacy. In the bathrooms, we added white marble floors and wainscoting. We created storage throughout the home with custom-cabinets, new closets and built-ins, such as bookcases, desks and shelving. White Sands Design/Build furnished the entire cottage mostly with commissioned pieces, including a custom dining table and upholstered chairs. We updated light fixtures and added brass hardware throughout, to create a vintage, bo-ho vibe. The best thing about this cottage is the charming backyard accessory dwelling unit (ADU), designed in the same style as the larger structure. In order to keep the ADU it was necessary to renovate less than 50% of the main home, which took some serious strategy, otherwise the non-conforming ADU would need to be torn out. We renovated the bathroom with white walls and pine flooring, transforming it into a get-away that will grow with the girls.

Removing the walls around the Kitchen and DR (and the Living Room!) created an open concept for easy flow. The warmth is maintained with the hardwood floors, natural textures and soothing colors.

Oversized pendant lights match the large scale of the custom kitchen island. The island features a built-in cooktop and built-in-place walnut butcher block top; open shelves made from the same walnut float above black basalt countertops and frame a farmhouse sink. Appliance nook is backed with penny tile that echoes the color and shape of the island lighting. Kurt Jordan Photography

Large trendy single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Both the master bath and the guest bath were in dire need of a remodel. The guest bath was a much simpler project, basically replacing what was there in the same location with upgraded cabinets, tile, fittings fixtures and lighting. The most dramatic feature is the patterned floor tile and the navy blue painted ship lap wall behind the vanity. The master was another project. First, we enlarged the bathroom and an adjacent closet by straightening out the walls across the entire length of the bedroom. This gave us the space to create a lovely bathroom complete with a double bowl sink, medicine cabinet, wash let toilet and a beautiful shower.

Roger Wade Studio
Mountain style eat-in kitchen photo in Other with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Photography by Laura Hull.
Example of a small transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor home office design in Los Angeles with blue walls

The light filled laundry room is punctuated with black and gold accents, a playful floor tile pattern and a large dog shower. The U-shaped laundry room features plenty of counter space for folding clothes and ample cabinet storage. A mesh front drying cabinet is the perfect spot to hang clothes to dry out of sight. The "drop zone" outside of the laundry room features a countertop beside the garage door for leaving car keys and purses. Under the countertop, the client requested an open space to fit a large dog kennel to keep it tucked away out of the walking area. The room's color scheme was pulled from the fun floor tile and works beautifully with the nearby kitchen and pantry.

Cati Teague Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic built-in desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor study room remodel in Atlanta with blue walls

When these homeowners first approached me to help them update their kitchen, the first thing that came to mind was to open it up. The house was over 70 years old and the kitchen was a small boxed in area, that did not connect well to the large addition on the back of the house. Removing the former exterior, load bearinig, wall opened the space up dramatically. Then, I relocated the sink to the new peninsula and the range to the outside wall. New windows were added to flank the range. The homeowner is an architect and designed the stunning hood that is truly the focal point of the room. The shiplap island is a complex work that hides 3 drawers and spice storage. The original slate floors have radiant heat under them and needed to remain. The new greige cabinet color, with the accent of the dark grayish green on the custom furnuture piece and hutch, truly compiment the floor tones. Added features such as the wood beam that hides the support over the peninsula and doorway helped warm up the space. There is also a feature wall of stained shiplap that ties in the wood beam and ship lap details on the island.

This was a gut remodel of a 1950’s 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1200-square-foot home. The main house was composed of two bedrooms with one bathroom, and a separate studio unit with a full bathroom was located in the backyard. The new owners, a family of 4, wanted to remove the studio unit and increase the square footage of the main house to include a new master suite, family room, and powder room while leaving enough space for the possible addition of a pool in the backyard down the road. We also expanded the kitchen and remodeled the kids’ shared bathroom. White Sands advised during the architectural stage of the project to perfect the layout and ensure enough space was carved out for the new kitchen, family room, and master bedroom. We designed a modified galley kitchen with a large eat-in island in the center. Custom cabinetry was key in making the layout work. To provide ample storage, we created a European-style larder pantry, which is flanked by full-height glass hutches and appliance garages to keep countertop gadgets concealed. The family room is anchored by a new fireplace, complete with custom built-ins flanking each side. The client’s goal for the overall aesthetic is very simple, classic coastal cottage. They wanted cutesy charm. They did not want anything fussy or fancy, requesting selections to be pared down and approachable. All tile and counter finishes selected were in timeless shapes and color palettes. We brought in color and personality with the accessories- cabinet hardware, mirrors, wallcoverings, and styling accessories.

Photo by Karen Melvin
Example of a mid-sized classic single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar design in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, mirror backsplash and white countertops

Example of a large trendy porcelain tile kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash and an island

We wanted a classic warm feel in this space. This client loved ornate traditional details with warm heavy tones.
Mid-sized elegant l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Orange County with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, black appliances and an island

A young family moving from NYC to their first home in Westchester County found this pre-war colonial in Larchmont New York in need of a serious overhaul. After a complete gut job and rework of the entire home, they created a compact, vibrantly colorful kitchen open to the family room. o A nautical indigo color was chosen for the island and tall storage cabinets, with a subtle warm gray on the perimeter o Natural walnut shelving and countertop on the peninsula evoke a mid-century vibe which relates to other vintage furniture pieces in the home o Colorful cement tiles were carried all the way up the counters to inject pattern and whimsy o Brass fixtures and hardware strike a handsome contrast with the deep indigo color scheme. Architect: Greg Lewis, Lewis and Lewis, Larchmont NY

Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Houston with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Once an unused butler's pantry, this Ann Arbor kitchen remodel now offers added storage for important appliances and large items infrequently used. This hard working set of cabinetry does the work of a pantry without the doors, narrow storage and poor lighting of a traditional pantry. Complete with floor to ceiling natural cherry cabinets in the craftsman style, these cabinets add interest and function with stair-step depths and height. The Medallion cabinets are a natural cherry wood with a Sonoma door style, finished in a pecan burnished glaze. Sanctuary cabinet hardware from Top Knobs comes in a Tuscan Bronze finish. Bamboo floors compliment the warm cabinetry and will deepen to a honey blond over time. Under cabinet lighting high lights crackle glass accent tile, tumbled limestone brick tiles and white quartz countertops. Fred Golden Photography©

A new kitchen island updates this entire kitchen. Island Cabinetry by Plato Woodwork Inc. , countertop is Cambria from Absolute Marble and Granite in Color: Ella, The new island increased the island seating and storage for this kitchen and introduces a contrasting finish for the cabinetry that adds additional interest along with convenient storage.